Nightmares
Violet was about to retire to bed when the Emperor stormed into her room.
She had already changed into her night gown and was just about to turn off the lamp at her bedside table.
The Emperor closed the door with force and forbade anyone from entering.
Violet hurriedly stood up when she felt a painful slap on her right cheeks.
" Your Majesty , what is the meaning of this?"
" You dare! You dare frame my beloved??" ,
the Emperor bellowed.
"Frame , Your Majesty? I do not understand. "
" Will you keep disappointing me, Empress? You dared to frame the only person I love by accusing her that she jumped into the pond on her own will when it was you who pushed her?!
Out of mere jealousy?!
You hurt her.
Because I favour her?
Because I adore her?
When you hurt her , you hurt me."
" Your Majesty. That's simply not true.
Your Majesty should at least try to be reasonable in your absurd claims!"
" If the Empress feels that she's lonely because I do not favour her ,
I shall gladly oblige to satisfy at least her needs."
" Your Majesty , what are you doing? " , Violet stumbled back in fear as she saw the Emperor undressing himself.
Violet looked at the Emperor's eyes and she couldn't see a shred of sanity in it.
The Emperor grabbed her hands with tremendous force and threw her to the bed.
Violet grabbed the pillow and threw it at the Emperor which he easily dodged.
Violet grabbed another empty vase and it hit the Emperor's forehead.
She had thrown it with as much strength she could muster so the landing was quite impactful.
The Emperor cursed as he felt the blood on his forehead.
At that moment of distraction , Violet ran towards the door to call for her maids or Xander.
However , the Emperor quicky recovered from his momentary shock and overpowered her easily.
He grabbed her by the hair and covered her mouth with his other hand.
He threw her onto the bed again.
He roughly tore off her outer night gown .
Violet was left with just her lingerie.
Violet struggled to free herself from the Emperor's hold on her.
" Struggling? I thought you wanted this."
The Emperor held both of her hands above her head with his one hand while another caress her face almost too gently that it terrified Violet.
" No. No. Please don't do this. Please."
" Too late ." , the Emperor chuckled darkly.
Violet in her moment of desperation gathered all her strength and kicked the Emperor in his groin and he kissed her neck.
She then took hold of the lamp on the bedside table and hit the Emperor on his head.
He did not pass out but he was groaning in pain as he bled profusely.
Violet then screamed as she ran towards the door of her bedroom.
"Xander ! Xander ! Help me."
Xander ran into the room as soon she he heard Violet's cry for help.
He had been pacing restlessly outside the door ever since the Emperor entered Violet's room.
However , he could not enter the room without permission as he was just a subordinate.
Xander was shocked to see Empress Violet almost naked.
He quickly took off his jacket and made her wear it .
He then took a quilt that was had somehow landed on the floor and covered her entire body with it.
Xander held Violet who was trembling in fear with his one hand while another held his sword tightly.
He was ready to strike.
Even if it was against the Emperor.
Marco who had witnessed the mess in the room seemed to have guessed that the Emperor had tried to force himself on the Empress.
He was glad he came in slightly later after the commotion so he did not witness the Empress in a worse condition than she was in right now.
Marco quickly went to the Emperor and helped him get up.
He decided to take the Emperor back to his chambers and tend to his injuries.
Marco bowed to the Empress and quickly apologised while the Emperor managed to glare at her.
The Emperor, however , did not say anything as he felt slightly dizzy from the impact.
"Not a word about tonight", Violet managed to squeak out as Marco left to which he nodded in understanding and left.
As Emperor's personal Knight ,
he was supposed to be defend the Emperor against anyone who inflicted an injury or tried to harm the Emperor , however , Marco did not condemn the Empress for her actions.
It was her right to defend herself.
It was an act of self – defence.
He would simply pretend that he had no idea who had harmed the Emperor tonight.
Once Violet was sure that it was just Xander and her in the room , her legs gave in and she almost descended to the floor if not for Xander holding her.
Violet was still quivering in fear and disgust in Xander's arms.
" Shall I take you to bed , Your Majesty?"
" The couch , Xander. "
Xander led Violet to the couch.
He got up to get water from the table when he felt Violet tugging the hem of his shirt.
" Where are you going?"
" To get water for you , Your Majesty.
It will not take more than 10 seconds. " , Xander reassured Violet.
Violet simply nodded and drank the water when Xander offered it to her.
Xander was furious at what happened a few moments ago.
Furious at the Emperor.
Furious at himself.
He was late .
He should have just rushed in without permission even if he would have gotten punished.
' This is all my fault. I failed to protect her .'
" Xander , can you please stay in my room tonight? I'm scared."
" Of course. "
Xander then softly hugged Violet who cried grievously in his arms.
He gently patted her back to calm her down.
After an hour of crying , Violet fell asleep.
Xander took her to bed and laid her down , covered her with a blanket when he heard Violet lightly mumbling in her half asleep state.
" It's not your fault , Xander."
Xander was moved to tears as he heard Violet's words.
" Your Majesty , sometimes it's okay to put your feelings first before other people's feelings. You're too kind. " , Xander said tenderly.
Xander left to lie down on the couch.
It was a sleepless night for both of them as Violet's occasional whimper would sound throughout the night.
'This nightmare will continue to wrap its evil hands around Her Majesty Violet's soul and pull her into a world ruled by fear for a long time and leave its mouldering fingerprints during the brightest days too. I hope you will overcome this .' , Xander said as he watched Violet sleeping.